Make Sir Patrick Stewart's Signature Meal With One Canned Staple

Brits love their beans on toast for breakfast, and that doesn't exclude luminaries like renowned actor Sir Patrick Stewart, who died October 28, 2026. The acclaimed thespian, known for roles in major movie and television franchises that included "Star Trek: The Next Generation," was spotted in a 2021 Facebook reel enjoying a simple garden-side slice of toast smothered in beans, which he claimed was one of the only things he could reliably cook. Stewart, who was an octogenarian when he passed, stated that he had been enjoying beans and toast his entire life. In the above he was even seen raising his fists in a triumphant gesture over how delicious his meal was.

Indeed, Brits have been enjoying beans on toast for a long time. The story goes that Heinz popularized the meal in the 1920s as a way of selling more canned beans, although the cheapness and convenience of the meal undoubtedly boosted its profile during the lean years of World War II and afterward. Today, we have a whole list of pantry staples that will upgrade baked beans in a can, but we still enjoy them unadorned with nothing but buttered bread. It doesn't get easier than replicating Sir Patrick's signature dish: just toast your bread, open the can, and scatter beans on top to your heart's content. 

It's important to note for the Yanks among us that British canned beans are not exactly the same as what can be found in American supermarkets. While American baked beans have a sweet profile that is often augmented with meat like salt pork or bacon, Brits generally buy beans that are doused in a savory, tomato-based sauce that's usually vegetarian. Does this mean that folks in the former colonies can't enjoy this classic repast? Absolutely not! In terms of traditional foods, folks from the state of Maine have been known to serve their regional style of baked beans (which often includes mustard) over steamed brown bread or cornbread, proving that the fundamental idea of "beans on toast" is a treat with international appreciation. 

If you can't access British-style savory baked beans, we know tons of ways to make a can of sweet baked beans taste less sugary by emphasizing their umami characteristics. This might include stirring in onion or other veg, mixing in soy sauce or Dijon, and hitting your bowl with a good sprinkle of salt. We might even mix up some meaty cowboy-style baked beans. Toast up a nice, thick slab of bread and pour those beans over as you reflect on the memory of Sir Patrick Stewart and his beloved signature dish.